The Katsina State Government said on Friday that it freed 212 prison inmates this year from various prisons across the state by settling their fines.
Alhaji Abubakar Yusuf, the Chairman of the state Committee on Prerogative of Mercy disclosed this while paying for the release of four inmates in Daura Prison.
Yusuf, who is also the Special Adviser to Gov. Ibrahim Shema on Community Development, said the freed inmates were from 11 prison formations in the state.
He explained that the committee was mandated by the government to visit the prisons on quarterly basis with a view to freeing such inmates.
“The state government also gives N10,000 to each of the freed inmates as start up capital to enable him or her start small business or trade to become self-reliant,” said the governor’s aide.
According to him, the gesture is part of the state government’s magnanimity and concern for the less privileged in the society.
Yusuf urged the four freed inmates, who were given N10,000 each, to change for the better and utilise the money to economically empower themselves.
Earlier, Alhaji Bukar Usman, the Assistant Controller of Prisons in charge of Daura prison, commended the state government for its concern to the inmates.
Usman also advised the freed inmates to be of good behaviour.
Responding on behalf of the inmates, Sani Nasir thanked the state government for facilitating their freedom, assuring that they would be good citizens of the state. (NAN)
